Her GadgetMatch
Fitbit Luxe: Finally, a fitness band that’s actually pretty
One of my major frustrations with fitness bands has always been the way they look. Why is it so hard to make them look pretty enough to wear outside a workout? There’s no rule that they should be unattractive and clunky, right? Enter Fitbit’s answer to said problem: The Fitbit Luxe. It’s sleek and stylish while packing all the necessary features, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for substance.
The Luxe is not my first Fitbit having owned my now ancient Charge 2 then an Alta HR sequestered from my husband who wore it for a month then got tired of it because it didn’t go well with his suits.
I wore both fitness bands with pride and as a way for me to send a message that I was now taking my health a little seriously. However, they often looked out of place with most of my outfits. Wearing them to events that had a bit of a more formal dress code always looked awkward. I even thought of wearing a classy watch on my left arm and the Fitbit on the right just to make it work at some point. However, even the smaller Alta HR made me look like I was coming straight from a run.
Form & substance
A common complaint about the Luxe is how small the screen is. Personally, I don’t see it as an issue. I enjoy the size which makes it inconspicuously stylish. Sure, it has a function for you to quickly take a peek at your texts, even read them in full. But who still sends novel-length texts these days? Mine’s usually from delivery services just telling me to pick up my orders. Though I won’t mind getting more notifications from other messaging apps that I have on my phone.
The size also makes it look like a truly elegant timepiece as soon as you slap on a metal strap. I originally wanted the lunar white and soft gold combination but ended up with the orchid (pink) and platinum stainless steel. At first, I was a bit wary of the pink, thinking it might look rather juvenile on me. But it worked out in the end. It’s a lovely shade that I don’t mind wearing with most of my activewear.
I actually bought myself a gold milanese strap online, similar to the ones I used with my older Fitbit models. They’re pretty inexpensive and are available on sites like Amazon and Shopee. The silver hardware on my Luxe also gave me more freedom to mix my metals within my outfit, instead of getting tied down to a gold-on-gold combo. Fitbit also has their own gold, metal strap. You pay a little more for it but it can be a justifiable investment if it will make sure you don’t have to take off the Luxe whenever you need to dress a little more formally.
The Luxe tracks your workouts, your steps, and even your oxygen levels as you sleep. It even has multiple watch faces to match your outfits. My personal choice is the ‘Vogue’ which shows the time in pastel pink and green. Très chic.
Swimming
My favorite thing about the Luxe has to be the fact that it can now be used to track your swimming as well. It’s something both the older models I owned didn’t have. Sadly, the pandemic has rendered most pools closed, even in our building. I did get to dip my unit in water to check its water lock mode which stops the water from accidentally controlling your screen. It worked really well and my unit survived the quick dip.
We’ll let you know how it fares in the pool or the beach once the IATF relaxes its guidelines. So far, however, this wearable is looking pretty good on that front too.
Fitbit Premium
The Luxe also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium. The personalized subscription service on the Fitbit App opens up a whole new world for one’s fitness goals. It gives you advanced analytics on your sleep data, recipe inspirations, as well as video workouts.
As someone who has the Peloton app, I have to admit that it’s still my go-to for my home workouts, even on exercises that go beyond cycling. Though their guided programs that help you in your other goals like kicking your sugar habit, learning how to do a push-up, and even getting more sleep, are such great additions to your self-improvement plans.
Though I must admit that my favorite among the premium features is how it can give you a comprehensive wellness report upon request. The only requirement is that you have to be using your Luxe for about a month. The report shows you your average heart rate, average steps and sedentary moments, sleep, and menstrual cycles, as well as your heart rate zones.
Great battery life
The Luxe promises about 5 days of battery life but mine usually goes a little over than that. There are times when I go up to a week without charging and I’m someone who tries to workout every other day for about 30-45 minutes and I walk an average of six thousand steps. I know, I could use some more. I also wear the Fitbit to sleep as I enjoy seeing my sleep metrics.
Speaking of sleep, its size really makes it easier to wear the Luxe to bed. From a more practical point of view, the Luxet doesn’t dig into the skin – it’s the most comfortable tracker I’ve ever worn.
Is the Fitbit Luxe your GadgetMatch?
Personally, I think I’ve found the one when it comes to fitness trackers. Ever since I received the Luxe, the only times it left my wrist was for a charge. It does the job without being too invasive when it comes to my daily life – outfits included.
The Fitbit Luxe retails for PhP 8,490 while the gorjana-designed Special Edition will cost PhP 12,990.
Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.
After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.
360° purification for a fresher space
One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.
For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.
Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.
After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.
Surprisingly quiet
This is probably my favorite feature.
The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.
I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.
Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.
Design that fits my space
Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.
The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.
For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.
Air quality at a glance
Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.
It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.
Easy to maintain
I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.
That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.
After a month, would I keep it?
Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.
The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.
It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.
If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.
Her GadgetMatch
TECNO and Angélica Dass visit the Philippines next for its grand portrait project
100 Faces, 100 Stories
A portrait can show what someone looks like, but what about the story behind the face?
TECNO and visual artist Angélica Dass are exploring that question through “100 Portraits of Becoming,” a two-year global portrait project featuring 100 people across Kenya, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.
The project begins with 20 portraits from Kenya, each paired with a personal story about identity, choices, change, and growth. Rather than having participants represent an entire culture or generation, the project focuses on their individual experiences.
Beyond inclusive imaging
The project builds on TECNO’s work with Universal Tone, its imaging technology designed to represent diverse skin tones more naturally and accurately.
But “100 Portraits of Becoming” takes that idea further. With AI increasingly involved in capturing, recognizing, and generating images of people, TECNO and Dass want to explore how technology can better represent the individual behind the image.
For Dass, meaningful portraiture starts with human connection.
“Meaningful portraits are never created by technology alone.”
She says her experience in Kenya reinforced the importance of trust, listening, and the willingness of people to share their stories.
The Philippines is next
Following Kenya, the project heads to the Philippines for a chapter called “Beyond Many Labels.”
It will feature 20 individuals, including working solo mothers and people whose lives are closely connected to solo parenthood.
Their stories will look beyond labels such as “single mother,” “breadwinner,” and “strong woman,” while exploring their ambitions, relationships, and personal growth.
The chapter will also explore “diskarte” — the ways Filipinos adapt, make choices, and find practical ways forward in everyday life.
After the Philippines, “100 Portraits of Becoming” will continue to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.
By the end of the project, TECNO and Dass hope the 100 portraits will offer exactly what the title suggests: 100 different ways of seeing humanity.
Her GadgetMatch
What your smartphone color choice reveals about you
Eight colors, eight personalities. Here’s how to pick.
Your phone color says more than you think. With the Pixel 11 series, Google’s giving you eight ways to make that statement, and there’s genuinely one for every kind of person.
Hibiscus
You’re never the quiet one in the room. Hibiscus doesn’t ask for attention; it just takes it, and if that sounds like you, you’re probably not planning to start hiding now. This is the pick for anyone who’d rather stand out than blend in.
Pistachio
You’re the one who remembers everyone’s coffee order. Pistachio is soft and easy; the one whom people gravitate toward without quite knowing why. It doesn’t try hard to be liked. It just is.
Frost
You like things a little too organized. Frost means clean lines and a clear head, the color equivalent of a camera roll with zero mess in it. If your notes app has color-coded folders, this one’s calling your name.
Obsidian
You let the work speak for itself. No flash needed, because when you show up, the room adjusts anyway. Obsidian is the classic choice, the one that’s never trying too hard because it doesn’t have to.
Canyon
You’re the one who suggests the sunset drive. Canyon is warm and a little restless, always chasing golden hour whether or not anyone else is up for it. Available on the Pro and Pro XL, it’s built for people who treat every evening like it might be a good one.
Olive
You’re outdoorsy, but you’ll still show up looking put together. Olive is low-key and grounded, the one who doesn’t try too hard because it’s already comfortable in its own skin. Another Pro and Pro XL exclusive.
Fog
You’re hard to read, and you like it that way. Fog is understated on purpose, a Pro and Pro XL colorway for anyone who’d rather keep people guessing.
So, which one’s you?
Eight colors, three phones, one very personal decision. Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL goes on sale starting August 20 — with Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian on the base model; and Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian on the Pro line.
Which one’s calling your name?
-
Reviews2 weeks agovivo V80 review: Good phone, tough sell
-
News2 weeks agoOPPO Find X10 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines
-
Cameras2 weeks agoDJI Osmo Pocket 4P Pearl White now available globally
-
News2 weeks agoOPPO Find X10 Series: Price, availability
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoCyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 now streaming, Cyberpunk 2077 update coming
-
Gaming1 week agoHP OMEN Max 16 review: Gamer-maxxing in deep black
-
Laptops2 weeks agoLenovo expands Yoga lineup with new AI PCs and tablets
-
Laptops2 weeks agoASUS ProArt P14, P16 laptops with NVIDIA RTX Spark now available
























